Environmental data logging system

Abstract

A system for obtaining environmental data such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and the like which utilizes a data acquisition sensor. In the case of obtaining temperature data, the sensor may be in the form of a thermistor which measures a particular temperature value and generates a signal representing the same. A microprocessing unit receives the signal from the data acquisition device and sends the same to an erasable memory unit. A data collection computer receives the value signal directly from the erasable memory unit, since access to the erasable memory unit by the microprocessor is shielded. The data collection computer can communicate directly with the erasable memory without the need for generating a prior art RS-232 protocol.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An environmental data logging system comprising: a. a data acquisition sensor for measuring the value of an environmental parameter and generating a signal representing said value;   b. a microprocessing unit said microprocessing unit receiving said signal from said data acquisition device;   c. erasable memory means said microprocessing unit sending said value signal to said erasable memory means;   d. a data collection computer receiving said value signal directly from said erasable memory means;   e. means for shielding access to said erasable memory means by said microprocessing unit while said data collection computer receives said value signal from said erasable memory means; and   f. switch means for activating said data acquisition sensor and said microprocessing unit at selected time intervals, said switch means being programmed for operation independent of manual activation of said data acquisition sensor.   
     
     
       2. The system of claim 1 which additionally comprises said microprocessing unit includes means for calibrating said data acquisition sensor. 
     
     
       3. The system of claim 2 in which said erasable memory means further comprises means for creating a data look-up table, readable by said data collection computer. 
     
     
       4. The system of claim 1 which further comprises means for generating a memory clock signal to said erasable memory device. 
     
     
       5. The system of claim 1 which further comprises means for isolating said erasable memory from connector shorting. 
     
     
       6. The system of claim 5 which additionally comprises said microprocessing unit includes means for calibrating said data acquisition sensor. 
     
     
       7. The system of claim 6 in which said erasable memory means further comprises means for creating a data look-up table, readable by said data collection computer. 
     
     
       8. The system of claim 7 which further comprises means for generating a memory clock signal to said erasable memory device. 
     
     
       9. The system of claim 8 which further comprises means for isolating said erasable memory from connector shorting. 
     
     
       10. The system of claim 1 which further comprises delay means for preventing communication of said data collection computer with said erasable memory means for a selected time period. 
     
     
       11. The system of claim 10 which further comprises switch means for activating said data acquisition sensor and said microprocessing unit at selected time intervals. 
     
     
       12. The system of claim 11 which further comprises means for isolating said erasable memory from connector shorting.